A look at the 10 landmark matches from the 20-times Grand Slam champion's career.
The cool days of late September, with damp courts expected, will level the playing field and for the first time, other than when Rafael Nadal has been injured, he looks vulnerable on his beloved clay.
Rafael Nadal is hungrier than Roger Federer and is likely to overhaul his Swiss rival's grand slam title tally to become the most decorated player ever, according to former world number one Mats Wilander.
As another Grand Slam crown looks set to be snaffled by a man in his thirties this weekend, tennis fans lamenting a dearth of dynamic up-and-comers need not worry, says former world number one Mats Wilander.
Nadal said his back was still bothering him against world number 56 Djere
World No 2 Andy Murray's three-point contribution to Britain's defeat of Belgium in the Davis Cup final concluded one of the most remarkable years ever achieved in the competition by an individual player. Below are the key facts:
Thirteen years on and his record next to the Bois de Boulogne stands at an incredible 85 wins and two losses.
Serena Williams has gone 3-2 in matches that all lasted three sets and have taken a toll on her weary legs.
For good reason a two-week Grand Slam can be described as a 'last man standing' marathon of mental and physical endurance, which makes Roger Federer's haul of 19 all the more incredible.
Swiatek's last defeat on clay came in the WTA 1000 event in Madrid against Australian Barty, who elected not to defend her 2019 French Open title last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Swedish former world number one is in the French capital soaking up all the action as a presenter for broadcaster Eurosport's daily flagship show 'Game, Set and Mats'.
Maria Sharapova will be back in the US Open spotlight on Wednesday hoping she can come up with a winning encore to her electrifying first round victory over second seed Simona Halep.
Novak Djokovic will be favourite to reach his 27th Grand Slam final when he faces Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open semis on Friday but what had been a smooth path through the draw has suddenly got a little rocky.
Rafael Nadal's unprecedented 10th French Open title on Sunday drew praise from across the tennis and sporting community: Here is a selection of what was said:
Let battle commence, says Djokovic ahead of Nadal showdown
The volatile 17th seed had a quiet evening by his standards in his opening match on Monday, with just the one violation for unsportsmanlike behaviour when he asked spectator, in no uncertain terms, to be quiet while he was serving.
Two-time champion Andy Murray withdrew from Wimbledon with a 'heavy heart' on Sunday after saying his right hip was still not ready for the demands of a Grand Slam.
Tennis must avoid "internal battles" if its growth is to keep pace with other sports, Roger Federer said on Monday in response to news that the ATP was to launch a revamped World Team Cup.
Seven-times grand slam champion John McEnroe called Nadal's latest injury "extremely disappointing". "We've seen him play for many years and it's always been a concern about how his knees would hold up," the American told Eurosport in his daily spot. "After last year, we all hoped he would be able to get his health and fitness back and get his game together and it looked like that was happening. "We all know how much he wanted (title) number 10 and we were looking forward to seeing play Novak in the semis." Former French Open champion Mats Wilander said the decision had been a no-brainer for Nadal.
Pliskova will be guaranteed toppling Germany's Angelique Kerber if she prevails against Halep who would need to go on and take the title to seize the top ranking.
The 23-year-old Australian, who will be seeded 15th at Wimbledon, says he is in his best shape ever, and he is being talked about as serious challenger for this year's title.
Yet the warrior-like instincts kicked in and we were all reminded that Nadal, as long as he is standing, remains a physical and psychological force of nature on a tennis court.
If there is a new member of the grand slam champions' club this weekend, nobody should be surprised -- the conditions at this year's sodden, chilly French Open suit the underdog.
'Everybody talks about those shorts since I put them on. Apparently I'm the only one who likes it' 'They will be in the museum of Roland Garros. You will see my shorts every day if you want'
The 36-year-old has been practising hard on the grass and few would bet against her becoming the first mother to win the title since Evonne Cawley 38 years ago.
Wimbledon's grass is slower than when Sampras and all the classic serve-volley specialists ruled the roost and, though it still offers a lower bounce than clay or the hard courts that dominate the circuit, it seems that the difference is becoming marginal.
Nadal enters his title defence after a stellar season on his favourite surface.
Six times a men's singles champion Down Under, the Serbian will be joined in making a return at MelbournePark by 2008 women's champion Maria Sharapova, who missed last year's tournament because of a doping ban.
List of French Open men's singles champions:
Not just because Serena Williams looks capable of landing a 24th Grand Slam title against all the odds having returned from maternity leave and Maria Sharapova is seeking redemption after a 15-month doping ban with a third French Open title.
Bidding for a record-extending ninth Australian Open title, the world number one and double-defending champion remains the runaway favourite at his favourite Grand Slam where he once remarked that he felt touched by the "divine".
'Djokovic is going to feel pressure, that's for sure, but then for Federer it might be his last chance'
Nadal will not be playing at Wimbledon, having decided to rest, while eight-time champion Federer is showing signs that, at 39, the window of opportunity to win one more Slam is closing.
It takes a brave, or foolish, pundit to look beyond Rafael Nadal for this year's men's champion, such is the Spaniard's power which has exerted a stranglehold over all claycourt opponents.
Simona Halep has been in red-hot form and the absence of top-ranked Australian Ash Barty, who won her maiden Grand Slam in Paris last year, and US Open champion Naomi Osaka, will boost her chances further.
Reaction to Novak Djokovic's disqualification from the US Open for striking a line judge with a ball during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta on Sunday.
Rafael Nadal is hunting a record-extending and almost unbelievable 12th Roland Garros title is remarkable in itself.
Briton Andy Murray will take over from Novak Djokovic as World No 1 when the rankings are updated on Monday after his Paris Masters semi-final opponent Milos Raonic withdrew with a leg injury on Saturday.
Roger Federer has made no secret that at this stage of his career, anything he does or does not do on a tennis court is done with the sole purpose of making sure he is in the best shape possible to make another title run at Wimbledon.
List of US Open men's singles champions since the Open Era began in 1968:
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